Hello families!
We hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break. We were able to spring clean and reorganize the classroom to excite the children with new materials and activities. We kicked off the Exercise Study and the children have enjoyed our dramatic play area, which is a gym. Within the gym, we have an exercise bike, trampoline, free weights, resistance bands, a yoga mat and yoga cards, complete with a smoothie bar. We wanted the children to explore the materials by experimenting with the equipment and working muscles of the body. We have provided visuals of various exercise moves that the children can reenact. The children even made gym membership cards to check into the gym to exercise. One form of exercise our friends love is dance. Some of our favorite songs to groove to are Pop See Ko and Che Che Kule. Below are the links to listen at home.
Koo Koo Kanga Roo – Pop See Ko – YouTube
On the last day of March, we were invited to tour the NIU Recreation Center here on campus. We met Miss Natalie, who works for the athletic department, at the Rec. She walked us around the building starting off with the rock climbing wall. We then ventured to the large track and within the track area there are basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and their latest addition, a pickle ball court. We learned that pickle ball is the fastest growing sport in the United States. We viewed the weight room and the cardio room, counting 17 treadmills. Each child was able to test their strength and mobility by using the chest press machine and lateral pull machine. Finally, we were able to run, skip, crawl, and jump in one of the gyms!
Some of our friends have now transitioned from tracing their name to writing independently. Continue to work with your child at home to build their fine motor strength and letter knowledge. We have continued to encourage the children to be involved in their classroom jobs and show pride and responsibility. The children are motivated to be a super friend. We have read the social story on how to be a super friend and what that means. Some examples include using kind words, sharing, asking to take turns, and providing comfort to those in need.
Here are a few reminders. Parent Teacher conferences will be held Monday, May 1st and Tuesday, May 2nd. If your child is going to kindergarten, this will be an important opportunity for you to learn some tips and strategies to help your child enter kindergarten successfully. Sign up will be done electronically and will be sent by De via email. Please choose a time that works best for you. Our end of the year celebration will be held Wednesday, May 10th at. Our last day of school before summer break is Monday, May 22!
Thank You!
Hillary and Bri
